Spiritual Conflict (Part 1)

Spiritual Conflict (Part 1)
Ephesians 6:10-20

1. Spiritual Conflict is a real issue and not to be neglected

2. We are in a struggle and largely unaware that our battle is not against people

3. We must learn to shed our post-enlightenment world view and take on a Christian world view

4. There are two extremes that must be avoided:

5. Jesus has won the battle over the powers Colossians 2:15

Ephesians 6:10-20

1. We are in a fight whether we want to admit it or not v. 10
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and watchful
- Don’t always dismiss your thoughts without analyzing them as to
their source
- Pay attention to your weaknesses and guard yourself against temptations
in those areas
- Evaluate your doctrinal beliefs
- 2 Timothy 2:24-26
- Be careful to whom you listen in spiritual matters particularly

2. We are to be strong in the Lord v. 10
- Ephesians 1:15-21; 2:1-7; 3:14-19
- Our strength is found in knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son
- Our strength is found in the ability to see and discern truth / reality
- Our strength is found in living in the hope we are called to
- Our strength is found in the resurrection power exercised in Christ that is at
work in us
- Our strength is found in our unity with Christ now and the unity to come in full
- Our strength is found in the fact that Christ Jesus dwells in us by his Spirit

3. Satan and his demons are schemers v. 11
- 2 Corinthians 2:11 Encouragement to not be outwitted by Satan because we are not
ignorant of his designs
- Satan’s primary scheme is the extinguishing of the truth of the Gospel
- Be aware that our conflict is a doctrinal conflict
- Demons teach doctrine 1 Timothy 4:1
- Keep a close watch on your doctrine
- 1 Timothy 4:16



- Satan schemes to deceive us regarding who is in charge of the universe or even
to deceive us into thinking he (Satan) is an equal and opposing force of evil
against God
- 1 John 5:19 is not a reference to the “Evil One” ruling the universe
- It is a reference to him being in charge of the system of
lies that are contrary to the Gospel

- Satan also schemes to distract our attention from our identity
- Ephesians 2:6
- We have been seated with Christ in the heavenly places.

- Satan also schemes to bring ethnic disunity to the church
- Ephesians 3:10 (note the context of chapter 2 and Colossians 1:15-20; 2:8-23)
- Beware of ethnic tensions between Christians

- Satan also schemes to impugn our moral character by tempting us to act like what we
used to be
- Ephesians 4-6:9

- Satan also schemes to blind us to the real conflict and thus trash unity
- Ephesians 6:12

Clinton E. Arnold, Principalities and Powers in Paul’s Letters, Inter-vasity Press, 1992.
Clinton E. Arnold, 2 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare, Baker, 1997.